According to the dictionary, the definition of retirement is an act of leaving one’s job, career, or occupation permanently, and reasons for retirement can be as diverse as the people themselves.

However, the most common reason for retirement is age. Obviously, people are unable to resist old age.

Age as the most common reason for retirement can be related to productivity. One of the many ways a company can keep being productive is by maintaining the quality of its workforce. That is why, to manage the quality of its workforce, in many companies there are limits on how long an employee is allowed to work. For example, my company sets the maximum age for employment at 55 years old — other companies may have a different policy. Thus, sooner or later retirement is something that we all have to face.

It feels like it was only yesterday that I became a grade-schooler and discovered the joy of learning, experiencing that someone else can occupy a lot of your mind in junior high school, celebrating sweet seventeen in high school — when I did not even know the meaning of it — living away from family when pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees (don’t worry mom and dad, I survived), and marrying my true love and being blessed with twin daughters.

Words, even though I am quite adept at them, were not able to describe my joy and thrill when doctors confirmed that my wife was with child. And that feeling became more indescribable when the doctor informed us that we were going to have not just one, but two baby girls.

I do not know how to save:
Not one person knows how to save at first. During our school years, saving is not offered as a subject. However, if you want to be financially well off, saving is a requirement. With a strong resolve it can be done.

I believe we all know there are many activities traditionally tied to Idul Fitri and the mudik (exodus) period. Many travelled unimaginable distances and faced difficulties to get together with loved ones (travel expenses), various meals and snacks were prepared (food expenses), new clothes were purchased (clothing expenses) and gifts were given (other expenses) to commemorate this once-a-year event.

Without a doubt, there are additional expenses during the Idul Fitri andmudik period. The exact value will differ for every individual, but, according to surveys spending during this period can rise by 30 percent from normal days, if not more. That represents a considerable financial burden.

Ideally, measures ought to be planned ahead of time to anticipate the extra expenses, so they will not greatly affect our financial stability. Unfortunately, many are oblivious to this matter and may experience financial setbacks after the Idul Fitri and mudik period ends. Are you one of them? I really hope you are not.

My wife and I each grew up in environments that had very different attitudes toward money. Her environment was conservative and she was taught the value of money from a very young age, whereas mine was more lenient in many ways and I had to learn through trial and error.

Despite all these differences, we turned out to be a match for one another – kindred spirits you might say. Moreover, we have strikingly similar money-conscious mindsets.